Nursing Advice: 5 Key Tips for New Nurses From an Experienced RN

By Stephanee Beggs, RN 

Get to know your team members. Not just your nursing colleagues but the many integral parts of the interdisciplinary team — physicians, respiratory therapists, unit secretary, environmental services, whomever they may be. They all matter. 

I began my career as a new graduate nurse in the emergency department; yes, you CAN start your career in your dream unit! Working as an emergency nurse has challenged me mentally, physically, and emotionally in the best way possible. I understand what it feels like to navigate the new graduate nurse role, and I am here to share some tips from one nurse to another.   

Seek the answers

The scariest nurses are the ones who don't ask questions; don't be one of them! It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the new role. When you come across situations that spark questions, seek the answers. I know this may seem redundant and straightforward, but often, new graduates are afraid to "look stupid" or "be annoying." 

You may find yourself asking questions such as:

• I haven't administered this medication before. What do we typically use it for? What should I look out for when giving this medication?
• I haven't performed this skill before. Can you come with me and walk me through it?
• I don’t know how to handle this situation. How would you approach it?
• Do you mind checking my charting to make sure I’m not missing anything? 

Get your hands dirty

Do as much as possible! Although you've graduated from nursing school, the learning has just begun. And it will continue for the rest of your career. The most significant new graduate hack is to expose yourself to all situations, even if it doesn't involve your patient. Hands-on experience is the best way to prepare for similar situations when you are the primary nurse! 

Get to know your team members

Not just your nursing colleagues but the many integral parts of the interdisciplinary team – physicians, respiratory therapists, unit secretary, environmental services, whomever they may be. They all matter. They will all help you in some way at some point. Value their expertise. Appreciate their time in helping you do your job better. 

Listen to your patients 

Patients know their bodies more than you do. Parents know their children more than you do. Listen to their complaints and consider them when doing your assessment. You will be surprised to hear some atypical symptoms that may point towards a critical diagnosis for a patient. 

Debrief

Just like in nursing school, debriefing the shift to process what you have seen is imperative. After a 12-hour shift, I journal about patient scenarios, anything I learned or struggled with, and any thoughts that stuck with me on the drive home. I also keep a list of the patients (being HIPAA friendly, of course) who have passed away while on my shift. It sounds morbid, but I feel comforted reflecting on everything I learned about in my short time with this patient. Whatever you like to do to debrief, do it.

STEPHANEE BEGGS is a registered nurse in Los Angeles, California, who unintentionally became viral on social media for her quick, concise educational tools that led to the creation of RNExplained, Inc. In addition, she teaches pharmacology in the classroom and medical concepts on various social media platforms to educate millions of nurses and nursing students around the globe.